Sunday Express

CHRISTIAN CELEBRATIO­N

- By Chris Goulding

WALES celebrated at Kempton and Newcastle with winners trained by Christian Williams.

The Glamorgan trainer enjoyed a one-two when Cap Du Nord, partnered by

Jack Tudor, proved too strong for stablemate

Kitty’s Light in the Coral Trophy Chase at Kempton.

“I’m over the moon and pleased for the owners and staff,” said Williams, who had also been successful with

Win Mywings in the Eider Chase at Newcastle just 20 minutes earlier.

“Cap Du Nord deserves a race like this – no one can take that away from him.

“The owner wanted to run him at Carlisle on Monday but we managed to put him off.”

Williams (below) also persuaded Tudor from partnering Kitty’s Light, his favourite horse.

Knight Salute’s victory at Kempton flagged up hope for the small guy at next month’s Cheltenham Festival where the unbeaten gelding runs in the Triumph Hurdle.

Bought for £14,000, peanuts in this day and age when the average price paid for a jumper is closer to half-a-million, Knight Salute has won all of his five starts over hurdles.

Mark Adams, member of the winning owners’ Four Candles Partnershi­p, said: “I’ve been involved in racing a long time and it is not easy to get a good horse and to have paid so little.

“To be doing so well as he is, it’s quite remarkable.

“I have to keep pinching myself that the journey continues and why not for the Triumph Hurdle now? “Everyone is continuing to underestim­ate him but I think he keeps a bit for himself.”

Knight Salute is now 12-1 from 16-1 for the Triumph.

Winning trainer Milton Harris was not short of confidence and successful rider Paddy Brennan said: “We are going there as third or fourth favourite and we are unbeaten.

“I’m sure the Irish horses are very good but they are beatable.”

 ?? ??
 ?? ?? THE CAP FITS:
Cap Du Nord (right) heading
for Coral Trophy victory
THE CAP FITS: Cap Du Nord (right) heading for Coral Trophy victory

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom